Golden State Glory: Roberts Returns to Winning Ways in Brno

Four years after earning his maiden Moto2 podium at Brno, Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team) made a triumphant return to the Czech circuit—this time claiming the top step of the podium with a masterful ride. The Californian dug deep to hold off a relentless Barry Baltus (Fantic Racing Lino Sonego), who settled for second once again, while Manuel Gonzalez (Liqui Moly Dynavolt Intact GP) completed the podium—and took a significant step forward in the title race.

The race kicked off with high drama. As the lights went out, it was Roberts’ teammate, Marcos Ramirez, who launched best and seized the holeshot. But the start was far from smooth for everyone. Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) went down in Turn 1 chaos, his race—and point-scoring hopes—over in seconds.

By the end of Lap 1, Baltus had muscled his way into the lead with a bold move at the final corner. Meanwhile, Ramirez began serving a pair of Long Lap penalties starting on Lap 3, which saw him drop behind local favourite Filip Salač (ELF Marc VDS Racing) and eventually fall to 12th after the second penalty.

As attrition began to shape the race—Canet and Diogo Moreira (Italtrans Racing Team) both forced to retire by Lap 6—the door opened for Gonzalez to capitalize. The Spanish title contender was riding smartly just behind the lead duel between Roberts and Baltus. Roberts finally made his move stick on Lap 7 to retake control of the race.

From that point, the race became a two-man battle. On Lap 10, Roberts laid down the fastest lap of the race—a blistering 1:59.4—to edge out Baltus and slowly carve a buffer. Gonzalez, still in third, was unable to match their pace and slipped 2.6 seconds adrift.

With five laps to go, the margin between Roberts and Baltus was a razor-thin 0.2 seconds. The American held firm, inching the gap to nearly half a second with just two laps remaining. Baltus continued to stalk him but could never quite get close enough to make a definitive lunge.

As the final lap began, Roberts held a comfortable 0.6-second cushion. Baltus didn’t have the track position to mount a final challenge, and Roberts crossed the line to claim his first Moto2 victory since the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. For Baltus, it was yet another solid runner-up finish—his fourth second place of the year, which now lifts him to third in the overall standings.

Gonzalez, meanwhile, banked 16 valuable points to widen his championship lead heading into the summer break.

Rookie sensation Daniel Holgado (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) delivered an eye-catching ride to claim fourth, fending off Celestino Vietti (Sync SpeedRS Team), who rounded out the top five. Izan Guevara (BLUCRU Pramac Yamaha Moto2) followed closely in sixth, another step forward in his development year.

Despite the early penalties, Marcos Ramirez clawed his way back through the field to finish seventh—getting the better of Czech crowd-pleaser Salač, who had to settle for eighth in his home Grand Prix.

David Alonso (CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team) and Albert Arenas (ITALJET Gresini Moto2) closed out the top ten. For Sachsenring podium men Jake Dixon (ELF Marc VDS) and Deniz Öncü (Red Bull KTM Ajo), Brno was a forgettable round—they finished outside the mix in 11th and 12th, respectively.

With Roberts finally back to winning form, Baltus proving again he’s a force to be reckoned with, and Gonzalez stretching his title lead to 25 points, all eyes now turn to Austria as the second half of the season looms.